Chapter 40: Preservation

Wei Yanqiao watched the maid depart. The girl had been sent by Bi Zifu, who served Xiao Ceyun; there was no doubt that it was Xiao Ceyun’s command that she spend her days copying scriptures and chanting prayers.

Wei Yanqiao offered a cold sneer. Was this Xiao Ceyun’s way of punishing her for the death of Shui Yao, his capable spy?

As she continued her transcription, a visitor arrived at the sequestered Zen courtyard where she was confined.

Cheng Youchun walked in, looking triumphant. "Who would have thought that the once-favored Noble Consort Sheng would fall to such a state, living in such a dilapidated hovel?"

The eunuch guarding Wei Yanqiao blocked her path. "Noble Lady Cheng, the Emperor has decreed that no one inside is permitted to leave."

Cheng Youchun cast a seductive glance at him. "The Emperor said no one is to leave, but he didn't say no one could enter, did he?" She signaled to her maid, Ping'er, who understood immediately and slipped a bag of silver into the eunuch’s hand. Cheng Youchun smiled, "Be flexible. I spent enough time enduring that woman’s haughtiness in the past; now that I have won the Emperor’s favor, I naturally want to show it off a little. As long as you keep quiet and I keep quiet, no one will ever know."

The eunuch weighed the silver in his hand and chuckled, "Then be quick about it, Noble Lady."

"My thanks," Cheng Youchun said. "Ping'er, stay outside. I can handle that wretch on my own." She left the maid at the entrance to prevent the eunuch from eavesdropping or to sound a warning if anyone approached, ensuring nothing would go wrong.

"Yes, my lady," Ping'er replied.

Cheng Youchun entered and saw Wei Yanqiao at the battered table. "My dear sister, how could you let yourself fall to such a pathetic state?"

She had originally intended to align herself with Wei Yanqiao to secure her family’s future, but seeing her current predicament, Cheng Youchun felt it might be better to compete for favor and battle the Empress herself. Yet, she lacked the strength and her family’s influence was far inferior to Wei Yanqiao’s. After much deliberation, she had decided to pay this visit.

Wei Yanqiao looked up and smiled. "Who is the most favored in the palace these days?"

Cheng Youchun stammered, "It is... me. I don’t know why the Emperor suddenly favors me so much, visiting my quarters every single day."

Wei Yanqiao laughed. "He is doing it to provoke me."

"What?" Cheng Youchun blinked in confusion.

"When I first returned to the palace, you were the only one who curried favor with me, trying to build an alliance. The Emperor heard of this, and so he bestowed this favor upon you."

It seemed she still held a place in Xiao Ceyun’s heart, if he was using her former ally to stir her jealousy.

Cheng Youchun was stunned. So her recent favor was actually thanks to Wei Yanqiao? "But how did you end up like this? You lost your rank, were thrown into the cold palace, and even now that you’ve been released, this place is no better. And your personal maid is dead."

"A spy planted by the Emperor—her death is of no consequence." Wei Yanqiao’s tone was cold and indifferent, a far cry from the heart-wrenching grief she had displayed when Shui Yao first died. Trading the spy's life for her release from the cold palace seemed a small price to pay. With the hidden threat removed, she could now plot with Cheng Youchun without fear.

Cheng Youchun was shocked. "Shui Yao was..." She glanced warily toward the door and whispered, "How did you know she was a spy?" No wonder Wei Yanqiao had ignored her attempts at friendship before; she had been surrounded by eyes.

"I caught her sending secret messages. Tell me, has the Emperor made any moves lately? And is the child in the Empress's womb stable?" If Cheng Youchun wanted to ally with her, she would allow it. With herself confined, having someone on the outside to monitor the situation was useful.

Cheng Youchun smiled, realizing that Wei Yanqiao’s ambition remained as sharp as ever. "Everything is stable."

"Do you know if it is a boy or a girl?"

Cheng Youchun shook her head. "The Empress protects her pregnancy fiercely. Everything she eats and wears is prepared by trusted hands; no one can get close enough to find out, let alone learn the gender."

"That is good." If Tang Yurong was that vigilant, Wei Yanqiao felt at ease.

"Good? How is that good?" Cheng Youchun asked anxiously. "She is four months along. In a few more months, she will give birth, and her position will be unassailable." She had come to test if Wei Yanqiao had truly lost her wits, and she was relieved to find the old Wei Yanqiao still there. But what good was she now? "I truly don't understand your bizarre behavior since returning to the palace. Why do this to yourself? You have no status, no power, and you're trapped in this dump."

Wei Yanqiao smiled faintly. "If I had not done this, the Emperor would never have allowed me to bear his heir. Empty titles and rank are useless; giving birth to a son is my absolute priority." She had been reborn, and her goal was far more complex than merely taking Xiao Ceyun’s life—otherwise, she would have killed him long ago.

"Ever since I entered the palace, the Emperor has been on guard against me. He planted Shui Yao by my side. Every night after I served him, she would bring me a bowl of tonic, claiming it was to help me conceive. I believed her and drank it diligently. In reality, it was a contraceptive brew."

Cheng Youchun gasped. "How could you possibly know that?" If it were her—favored by the Emperor and served by a seemingly loyal maid—she would never have discovered the truth.

"How did I know?" Wei Yanqiao smiled, a look both venomous and desolate. She knew because she had died once already. "Once you leave, continue to enjoy the Emperor's favor. Do nothing. Do not act rashly."

Cheng Youchun’s father stood on the same side as her own, and having an ally in the palace was beneficial; she would keep Cheng Youchun close, but she would not let her throw her life away.

"You are sure I should do nothing?" Cheng Youchun asked, confused.

"Exactly. Do nothing but wait for the Empress to give birth."

"Don't you need me to help you get out of here?"

"No, I will get out on my own. When the Empress gives birth, I shall be released. It is only a few more months of hardship. I can endure it. Once she has delivered the child, come and tell me. Until then, do not come to see me again, lest you draw suspicion."